Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has debunked reports that Nigeria is in talks with the United States to establish a military base in the country, calling the allegations “falsehood”.
A part of his statement read, “The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country. We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood.”
Idris also confirmed that “The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country. We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.”
Allegations have been flying around, stating that the US is lobbying Nigeria and other Gulf of Guinea nations for defence agreements to station troops previously in Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic.
Reactions have trailed the allegations, including a letter dated May 3, 2024, addressed to President Tinubu and the National Assembly leaders, by the northern elders urging the federal government to resist such pressures and Nigeria’s Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi critisising such a move in an interview with ARISE NEWS.
The minister further asserted that while the Nigerian govenment is commited to fostering relations with other countries, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is focused on tackling the security issues in Nigeria.
Melissa Enoch
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